As the world\u2019s largest philanthropy that focuses specifically on improving children\u2019s lives, we support bold ideas for children to survive and thrive, today and in the future. We have known for a long time that what happens to a child in the early years of their life, including pregnancy, is critical for the child\u2019s development. And yet, nearly 22 million children around the world start life with a low birth weight and 45 million children are wasted \u2013 a life-threatening condition that occurs when a child is too thin for their height. Over the past few years, the number of children successfully treated for severe acute malnutrition has increased, but 80% of children who need it are still not being treated, and the issue is consistently overlooked as public health priority. Saving lives through treatment is increasing the burden on already weak and under-funded health systems, and a prevention gap is emerging. Underpinning all this is a need for more sustainable, long-term, and innovative financing for nutrition, and partnerships that can catalyse bold ideas to end malnutrition globally.\u202f
Main purpose of the role
As a senior subject-matter expert and leader in CIFF\u2019s global Nutrition team, the Director, Nutrition will contribute to the development and execution of cutting-edge strategies, to achieve transformational and lasting change. They will lead a team of talented colleagues to develop and deliver high quality, timely proposals and programmes aligned to the Foundation Strategy and Nutrition Sector Priorities.
Role\u2019s responsibilities
As a member of the Nutrition Senior Management Team (SMT):
The role will be responsible for strategy, portfolio development and programme management of a set of investments, ensuring they are aligned to the Foundation Strategy. Provide up-to-date, professional advice to the Executive Director Nutrition and Chief Impact Officer, the Executive Team and CIFF Board on related issues, to support the development of Foundation strategies, policies and initiatives. Take the lead on corporate, cross-cutting initiatives and projects, as required by the Executive Team. Provide compelling, consistent and united leadership which creates clarity for the team reporting to the Director and builds a sense of shared accountability for its success and that of the organisation. Develop and maintain excellent external relationships within the sector specialism, acting at all times as a corporate ambassador for CIFF, to help build the organisation\u2019s reputation and profile as a professional, visionary and collaborative philanthropy. Deputise for the Executive Director, as required.Strategy & planning
As a specialist in the Nutrition sector, contribute to the development and review of the Medium-Term Sector Plan & Priorities, to ensure CIFF is making maximum impact in those areas with the resources available. Co-lead the development and implementation of the team\u2019s annual Executable Plan, to ensure the effective in-year prioritization of resources and activities.Programme development, delivery & performance
Oversee both the development of successful investment proposals and the implementation of high impact programmes by a team of a Manager/Analyst, ensuring the quality, timeliness and strategic alignment of their work to Foundation priorities and objectives. Allocate and monitor achievement of individual targets for pipeline, new investments and grant draw-down for all relevant team members, to ensure the team meets its objectives for programme development and delivery. Conduct regular reviews of investment proposals under development and programmes in delivery, to monitor compliance with agreed due diligence and risk management protocols, ensuring the interests and reputation of the Foundation are appropriately and proportionately protected. Intervene to take corrective action where necessary. Ensure all investment proposals and programmes are underpinned by appropriate monitoring and evaluation processes and procedures, in accordance with the relevant frameworks. This enables the development of rigorous evidence and analysis that supports CIFF\u2019s advocacy, scaling-up and mainstreaming agendas. Provide casework advice, specialist guidance and mentoring support to colleagues (within and beyond the team) to deepen the skills, capability and professionalism of the organisation. Ensure that appropriate procedures and frameworks are in place to support the effective leveraging and scaling-up of successful programmes and initiatives. As required, work with SMT to review processes and procedures in place to maximize operational effectiveness and efficiency. Lead the collection and analysis of team performance data and management information, in accordance with CIFF corporate frameworks and requirements, to enable timely and effective decision-making and planning. Lead and manage an end-to-end caseload of a set of live programmes and an active pipeline of potential investments of, in accordance with the sector priorities and plan.Sector knowledge and profile-building
Proactively maintain extensive external networks with experts and opinion-formers within the area of personal subject-matter (and/or geographical) specialism, to ensure the Sector team\u2019s work is shaped by the most up-to-date insights and research. Undertake or commission sector-relevant research and analysis to inform the effective development, delivery and evaluation of programmes and initiatives. Contribute to the development and promotion of high-quality thought leadership, PR and marketing materials to raise awareness about CIFF\u2019s work within the sector, ensuring alignment with the Foundation\u2019s communications and advocacy strategies.Stakeholder and partner management
In accordance with agreed account management principles and plans, identify, cultivate and proactively manage relationships with nominated key partners/stakeholders, to support the achievement of Foundation and sector team objectives in a coordinated manner. Advise and support more junior colleagues in identifying, negotiating with and managing appropriate programme partners (as required), to enable CIFF to maximise its philanthropic impact through effective collaboration.Leadership of the team
Offer inspiring and motivational leadership that role models CIFF\u2019s values and leadership behaviors, and empowers and enables staff to deliver excellence. Adopt a coaching approach with colleagues which instills a culture of openness and trust, embraces diverse thinking, and encourages continuous improvement and learning. Provide ongoing support to all direct reports (in manager and/or analyst roles), ensuring high performance is enabled through objective setting, clear accountabilities and regular review.Requirements
Skills & Experience
Recognised as a top subject-matter expert in one or more of Nutrition Sector\u2019s strategic focus areas with a proven track record of delivering results at senior level globally and across one or more CIFF\u2019s priority geographies. Proven track record in resource mobilization for nutrition and/or public health, particularly in LMICs, with deep knowledge and experience of key government and multilateral mechanisms and tools. Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the international development sector and its corresponding funding flows (overseas development aid, multilateral development banks, government finance, philanthropic funding, public-private partnerships) Experience in designing, implementing or funding innovative nutrition solutions, including service delivery and supply chain management. Experience in managing or funding programmes in hard to reach and humanitarian contexts Detailed understanding of using cost-benefit and ROI methodologies and metrics to inform strategy and business planning Excellent people leadership skills and proven ability to motivate, develop and hold to account a small- to medium-sized teams of professionals Effectively champions and promotes causes \u2013 credible and professional, they always present the foundation\u2019s programmes in a compelling way to engage the audience Proven success in building and maintaining strategic relationships and working in partnership; has highly developed influencing and negotiation skills, and effectively collaborates to deliver maximum impact Capacity to work in a range of cultural and socio-economic contexts, adapting style and approach appropriately and in a culturally sensitive manner to maximise effectiveness Able to think critically and analytically to draw sound conclusions on the basis of complex data Experience of identifying and delivering business process improvements High-level of financial literacyKey working relationships
Executive Director, Nutrition and Chief Impact Officer; Nutrition Director(s), other sectoral and country leadership teams and functional teams (e.g. legal, HR, finance) Global institutional partners/stakeholders \u2013 e.g. FCDO, World Bank, UNICEF, WHO et al International philanthropies and NGOs National governments and local NGO partners in priority geographies Research and academic institutions active within sector specialismManagement dimensions
Responsibility for personal pipeline and delivery targets to be agreed as per CIFF business plan and sector strategy, in addition to those for direct reports Working as part of the Nutrition Senior Management team, contributes to the effective performance of the sector\u2019s overall portfolio (circa $200mln) Dynamic and inspiring management of a small and growing teamBenefits
CIFF operates a hybrid work policy across all locations, which means employees work in the office and some of the time from home. We are happy to provide more information on this as part of the recruitment process.
Alongside a competitive salary, we offer a generous benefits package here at CIFF that includes, but is not limited to the following.
Annual leave - 25 days per annum. Increasing by 1 day after each year of service to a maximum of 30 days.Bonus - CIFF currently operates a discretionary bonus scheme.Training allowanceWellbeing allowanceLife insuranceMedical insurancePlease submit your application on or before Wednesday 10th December 2025. CIFF reserves the right to close the job advert early if we receive a high number of suitable applications.